No, leg-room hasn’t just taken another hit, this is a new system from 42 Technology at St Ives to make space for cargo in passenger train carriages.

42’s ‘Adaptable Carriage’ system has been developed with the UK rail sector, so that low density, high value packages and other cargo that would otherwise go by road, can take the train and help cut road congestion and emissions.

Novel folding seats from the adaptable carriages

It will also allow online retailers to offer later order cut-off times, faster deliveries and new services.

The technology can be retrofitted into existing carriages or integrated into new build designs, and is now ready for use in its first industrial trials.

The development team that worked on the idea

42 Technology has also developed a working demonstration module for its system that will be launched to the wider rail industry community at this year’s international Railtex exhibition this week at the NEC in Birmingham.